Life Jackets Save Lives

Summer is officially here and we are all looking forward to spending more time out on our boats. With that being said, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, 90 percent of the people who drown in a boating or water accident would be alive today if they had been wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. Wow! Fun in the sun can turn deadly if we are not practicing proper boat safety. We want to stress the importance of wearing a life jacket. Who should wear a life jacket? What type of life jacket do you need to carry on your boat? We have the answers to these questions.

Who must wear a PFD (life jacket)?

• Children less than 6 years of age must wear a Type I or Type II PFD when riding in the open deck area of a boat.
• Each person 12 years of age or older operating, riding on or being towed behind a personal watercraft (jet ski) must wear a Type I, Type II or Type III PFD (that is not an inflatable device).
• Each person less than 12 years of age riding or being towed, behind a personal watercraft (jet ski) must wear a Type I or Type II PFD.

What type of PFD do I need to carry on my boat in Michigan?

• Vessels less than 16 feet (including canoes and kayaks) must be equipped with one Type I, II, III or IV PFD for each person on board.
• The U.S. Guard requires all vessels less than 16 feet, used on the Great Lakes or connecting waterways, to carry one approved Type I, II, or III device for each person on board.
• Vessels 16 feet and longer, in addition to the Type I, II, or III for each person on board must carry one type IV. (Canoes and kayaks over 16 feet are exempt from the Type IV requirement.)

Do you know the difference between the types of PFD’s? If not, no worries. We have them listed for you below.

TYPE I

(Off-Shore Life Jacket) (22 lbs. Buoyancy) Best for open, rough or remote water where rescue may be slow in coming.

Advantages: Turns most unconscious wearers face-up in water. Highly visible color. Floats the person the best.

Disadvantages: Bulky.

Sizes: Two sizes to fit most children and adults.

TYPE II

(Near-Shore Buoyant Vest) (15.5 lbs. Buoyancy) Good for calm, inland water or where there is good chance of fast rescue.

Advantages: Turns some unconscious wearers face-up in water. Less bulky, more comfortable than Type I PFD. Inexpensive.

Disadvantages: Not for long hours in the water. Will not turn some unconscious wearers face-up in water.

Sizes: Infant, Child Small, Child Medium, Adult.

TYPE III

(Flotation Aid) (15.5 lbs. Buoyancy) Good for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of fast rescue.

Advantages: Generally the most comfortable type for continuous wear. Freedom of movement for most active water sports. Available in many styles. Freedom of movement for water-skiing, small boat, sailing, fishing, etc.

Disadvantages: Wearer may have to tilt head back to avoid going facedown. In rough water, a wearer's face may often be covered by waves. Not for extended survival in rough water.

TYPE IV

(Throwable Device) For calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic, where help is always nearby.

Advantages: Can be thrown to someone. Good back-up wearable PFDs. Some can be used as a seat cushion.

Kinds: Cushions, Rings and Horseshoe buoys.

Disadvantages: Not for unconscious persons. Nor for non-swimmers or children. Not for many hours in rough water.

Stay Safe While Boating and Wear a Life Jacket
Remember to always wear a life jacket. A life jacket should be readily available for every person aboard your boat and stored properly for easy access. It should fit each passenger properly. It’s a good idea to test life jackets once a year for wear and buoyancy. Replace them immediately if they are waterlogged or leak. Also, all PFDs must be ready at hand and not enclosed in plastic bags or other containers.

How To Take A Great Picture of Your Boat

Gorgeous shimmering water, a clean sleek boat, sun rising over the horizon – every boat lover wants that perfect picture of their boat. But capturing that ‘perfect picture’ is easier said than done.

First, consider what exactly you’re looking to take a picture of. Your boat, obviously. But do you want to take a picture of it while docked or do you prefer a friend on another boat take a photo of you driving offshore? Maybe you want both. Either way, once you’ve established a plan, there are some other very important things you need to consider.

Lighting is everything

The best time to take photos of anything, especially a boat in glistening water, is in the early morning or late evening. In the summertime this is usually around 7-7:30am and 6:30-7:30pm. You can take semi-decent photos at anytime if there is overcast. If you think you’re going to defy the laws of the sun high in the sky at lunch time though, you are sadly mistaken, my friend. Once the sun has risen it creates harsh light and shadows. It also reflects off of the surface of the water which creates many unwanted shadows across your boat. 

When taking a photo of your boat, make sure the sun is always positioned behind it or at an angle from the boat. This illuminates your boat and also guarantee’s that it isn’t in a direct sunlight position (again, harsh light is the worst when taking photos). This is also true for when you’re taking photos of people on board – always make sure the sun is behind them. Avoid using a flash if possible as it can cause a glare on the side of your boat.

If you’re shooting with a DSLR camera (not a point and shoot), make sure your photo isn’t overexposed by checking the histogram. It’s better to make your photo darker than lighter – you can fix underexposed photos easier than you can fix extremely overexposed photos.  Also, make sure you know how to use your camera. Learning how to shoot in manual mode before you try to take amazing photos of your boat will be quite helpful.

The Best Angle and Position

Don’t be scared to get creative and wild with the angle in which you’re taking a photo. Standing on a dock taking a photo of your boat head level isn’t going to cut it – you won’t be able to catch the details and the curves in the body. Try standing on a chair or ladder, or even squatting or lying down to get a few low photos of your boat by positioning the camera in a low position and pointing the camera upward (capturing the bottom to the top of your boat). Standing beside the boat at an angle (front to back) also creates a nice feel to the photo.

Don’t forget that there’s more to a photo than just your boat. Offsetting your boat to one side or the other in the viewfinder creates a dramatic effect and adds layers to the photo. You can also use this time to capture a beautiful sunset or other boats in the distance. There is beauty in depth.

Capturing Details

Don’t forget about the details on your boat such as the reel on your favorite fishing pole, the gauges on your dash, or even something as simple as an old rope lying in the corner. All of these things are part of your boat and your love for it. Detailed and abstract photos not only make unique hangings for your wall, they also help you capture memories. You’ll be able to look back and smell that salt water air, feel mist against your face, and remember the exact sunset on that evening….all by looking at the photo hanging in your den. 

You can take perfect photos of your boat, whether you’re using a point-and-shoot camera or a more complicated DSLR camera. When in doubt, you can always hire a professional to do it (and they might even consider bartering a session for a boat ride). In any case, remember to get out of the ‘norm’ and shoot at different angles. Don’t shoot in harsh sunlight. Have a friend take photos of you in the middle of the lake while you’re cruising around with your family. Or capture the essence of that gorgeous memorable sunset in the background. Remember, you’re not just taking a cool picture of your boat, you’re taking a cool picture of your boat while making memories that will last a lifetime.

Do you have any pictures of your boat that you just love? Share them with us on our Facebook page.

Life Jackets for Kids

Safety and life jackets are the first key steps to any great boating experience. Knowing that everyone on board is safe makes for a more enjoyable day on the water – but what about kids? We’ve all heard it, “my jacket is too itchy, my jacket is too hot,” or, “why do I have to wear this stupid thing?” How can a day on the water be enjoyable while listening to your child complain all day long? Well, it can be, because there are so many life jacket options for your child, whether an infant, toddler or pre-teen/youth. Taking the necessary precautions and steps to make sure your child has the proper life jacket and fit for them will make a world of difference. 

First and foremost, if your child is old enough to understand, then sitting them down and explaining to them why life jackets are so crucial will help them tremendously. Pre-teens/youth are probably the worst when it comes to complaining. But if they can understand the reasoning behind life jackets and know that it’s not just some evil plan devised by their parents to make them miserable all day, it’s easier for them to cope. The bulk of all drownings do not occur out to sea, but in shallow inland waters involving boats under 20-feet long. Unfortunately, most drowning victims had a life jacket on the boat, but never chose to, or were made to, wear it. Make sure you always choose safety first!

Making sure your children are wearing the proper clothing under their life jackets will help them become more comfortable while wearing their jacket. Wear clothes made with material that is light weight and breathes easily, such as cotton. Your child’s jacket should also fit snuggly to their body. A great test to make sure they are fitted properly is to have your child put their life jacket on and then pick them up by the shoulders of the life jacket. If their chin and ears do not slip through the jacket, and the jacket remains snug to their body, then the jacket is properly fitted.

There are many different life jacket options for children, even small infants (though it is not always recommended to take small infants onboard a boat). You’ll want to consider purchasing a life jacket with a ‘heads- up’ collar for infants, smaller children/toddlers, and children who do not know how to swim. These life vests ensure that your child’s face will be turned up and away from the water when they fall in or should they be knocked unconscious. When fitted properly, these life vests should not cause any major discomfort to your child. 

Many older children and youth believe that all life jackets are huge and uncomfortable for good reason – they’ve never seen all of the options!  Life jackets are now made to be comfortable and easy to wear – there are even some jackets that come in customizable colors, depending on your style. Some life jackets have mesh backs and many are created to breathe easier, all while keeping its user safe.  Research your options online or stop by our pro-shop to find the best fit for your child.

Every life jacket has a weight and buoyancy limit, so be careful when choosing which life jacket to buy. You’ll want to invest in life jackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. All children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times unless in a cabin or below deck. Each state varies with the age limit, so be sure to check your individual state for more information.

You’ll want to test every life jacket before sailing off in your boat. Take your child into a shallow area of water and have them lay down to test their jacket. While even a heads-up collar is a wonderful life saver for children, it may not guarantee that your child’s face will be turned away from the water if they are frantically swinging their arms and legs around in panic. Be sure to teach your child the proper things to do should they fall into the water, by keeping their bodies (especially their arms and legs) still and relaxed.  Explain to them that life jackets are used to help us in these situations, and the only thing they need to do is stay still and calm so that they can be quickly retrieved. 

Once everyone on board is equipped with their properly fitted and pre-tested life jackets, it’s time to head onto the water.  It’s a win-win situation – save a life by taking the necessary precautions ahead of time, and have a relaxing day with a very happy ending. They’ll have nothing to complain about, except for the fact that no one wants the day to end.

Boating With A Family

With the weather steadily growing warmer, families are eager to get outside and onto the water to enjoy these beautiful spring and summer days. It’s easy to get excited about boating, especially when you have children and a family to enjoy it with. But while boating with your family can be amazingly fun and educational, you should constantly remember that boating with younger children and family members can be dangerous if you do not take the proper precautions before leaving the dock. 


Life vests & “no-no’s”: First and foremost, each person and child should be equipped with a life vest. Make sure younger children have life vests with a ‘heads up’ collar that ensure their faces will automatically be turned upward  and away from the water, should they go overboard.  Whistles are a good option to have on a child’s life vest as well. It is wise to tell any and all passengers to wear slip resistant shoes if they have them.  Boat decks can at times become very slippery and may unfortunately cause unwanted falls.  In addition to wearing slip resistant shoes, running, jumping, and hanging over the side of the boat are all major “no-no’s” in order to prevent a fall or to even prevent capsizing smaller boats.  


It is best to let your family know upfront that these precautionary rules are not flexible and there are no exceptions, even if life vests are itchy or the children become bored. Ask your Pier 33 sales person to inspect your life vest and check for proper size and fit.


In Case of Emergency: You should always be sure that the adult and teenage passengers on board know what actions to take should an emergency with the boat arise. It will equip them with much needed knowledge should something happen to you or the boat. These passengers will also serve as helpers on board in case you need them in a time of panic. You can learn more during our Boating Safety Class in April.


Once these safety precautions have been taken, be sure to include your family and teach them about the responsibilities that come along with boating.  Teach them the boating ‘language’ so that they can feel included in your adventure and understand when you say ‘starboard’ or ‘bow’.  This is especially exciting for children as they are using their ever growing imaginations daily.


Pack a cooler & tote: Taking a picnic lunch or a cooler packed full of drinks and snacks will allow you to spend more time out on the water with your family. Let your children pick a few of their own snacks while preparing for your trip – it will make them feel more involved and they’ll become more excited about the big day.


Along with packing a cooler, make sure you pack a tote with extra clothes, underwear, towels, swim suits, a thick blanket for the little ones to lie on, hats, and sun block. The sun’s reflection off of the water will cause sunburn much quicker than being on dry land. There’s nothing worse than coming back from a fun day of boating with horribly painful sunburn!


Games & Swimming: It’s hard for children to sit still for an entire day of boating – bringing along games keep children (and some adults!) busy.  If you have babies or toddlers in your family, make sure you provide them with age appropriate games or toys. They will most likely be the first ones to become easily bored or tired.


Being in a boat without the thought of jumping into the magnificent, cool, water is hard to avoid as well. After all, you’re surrounded by it on all sides. Make a schedule and plan to drop anchor some place nice for your family so that they’ll have time to go exploring, or even just swimming and splashing around for an hour. This will also give you more one-on-one relaxation time with your family and a break from being ‘captain’!


Overall, the object is to have a fun and safe boating experience. Taking precautionary steps before getting on the boat will make for a more relaxing day, not only for your family, but for you as well. Knowing that you’ve given your family the best knowledge you can give about your boat, safety, and having fun while being safe, makes for an exciting new adventure and hopefully, a new family tradition.


Tell us in the comments below, what memories do you have of boating with the family?